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Opposites lead the way in Masters

Ben Everill

John Senden and Bubba Watson are probably polar opposites, creating an intriguing final group for the Masters.

Senden is the serious-minded Australian who found his first fist pump in eight years when he won recently in Tampa, against Watson, the hyperactive, hovercraft-driving American who is as close to Happy Gilmore as the modern game has.

Watson will take a three-shot advantage over Senden onto Augusta National for the third round and also has the advantage of being a former champion.

He will also no doubt command the attentions of a huge throng of patrons but thankfully at Augusta the shouts of "Bababooey" and "Mashed Potato" that often follow him are few and far between.

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But Senden won't fall into the circus. While Watson curses at his caddie Ted Scott for every mistake in an animated way, Senden and his man Josh Cassell will methodically go about their business and hope it grinds Watson, the other contenders and the course slowly into submission.

"I just have to stick to the game plan, and that's doing my job well," Senden said before his first foray into the final group at a major championship.

"That's the only thing I can do. Bubba has his game plan and I think that I should just go out there and concentrate on nothing but hitting shots and hitting putts.

"If I can do that well tomorrow that will be great because I know that I can accept the ups and downs during the day.

"I think that's why we're at the top. We can deal with it."

Senden, who recently grabbed his second US PGA Tour win at the Valspar Championship in Tampa, almost eight years since his first at the John Deere Classic in 2006, knows his turnaround at Augusta National has come with belief.

After missing the cut on his first three trips he contended early in 2013 before fading to 35th.

This time he's been mindful of keeping things light and keeping things enjoyable.

"I'm excited to keep doing what I've been doing, playing good golf and believing in myself and enjoying it," Senden said.

"That's the difference when you're under the pressure, if you can keep a smile on your face.

"I'll be nervous on the first tee tomorrow. I've been nervous every day teeing off, but that's a good thing.

"But it's about me just doing the work, just getting out there, get it down the middle and play the next shot. It's about me having the discipline to do that.

"I don't know what Bubba is going to do. I don't know what Freddie Couples is going to do tomorrow. I can't control that. I just have to do my job well."